The Senate candidates also discussed ways to improve the state education system.

Clark said 52 percent of Oklahoma’s budget went to education last year, with 36 percent going to public schools.

“I think we need to look at Oklahoma individually and see and make a determination of what the needs are in Oklahoma,” he said. “I think there are other areas we need to look at besides just funding.

“I think local communities need to get engaged in their schools,” he said.

Jestes said the problem isn’t only with funding education.

“I think our problem is addressing the money and putting the money where it needs to be,” he said.

It is important to ensure money stays in the classroom for the students’ benefit, and to pay teachers based not on how long they’ve been employed with the school district, but on the results they produce, Jestes said.

“We need to hold our education system accountable from the top down, in order to make education count for our kids,” he said.

Moore said comparing Oklahoma’s education funding with the education from larger states with more money, such as California, was not a fair comparison because these are not equal budgets.

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Funding education is important, but comparisons between states mean very little, Moore added.

“The need to fund education to the best of our ability in Oklahoma is certainly one that we need to address and give our best to,” he said.

Sharp said a change is needed in education. He added that it is difficult for teachers to survive on their salaries, and paying back their student loans makes that more difficult.

Incentives for teachers are needed to keep teachers in education in Oklahoma, Sharp said.

“I believe the greatest investment we can make is in our children,” he said.